Just How Good is the New Ford Focus RS?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 12 months, you’ll be well aware of the hype surrounding the new Ford Focus RS. Since its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, blue oval fans everywhere have been eagerly awaiting the release of new RS and can't wait to get behind the wheel.

The New Focus RS First Test Drives - What 'They' Had to Say...

"How does 345bhp from a freer-breathing version of the Mustang’s EcoBoost engine, hooked up to a trick torque-vectoring four-wheel drive system, sound? And all for an ultra-lean price of £31,000. You’re left astonished by the way it ticks the same boxes as its competitors, then offers another dimension entirely. It’s a game-changer, this car. Really, it’s that good" - BBC Top Gear

"Nothing else in the fast hatch arena combines real-world usability with real-road, any-condition pace, supreme driver involvement and such incredible bang for your buck. All of which, for a hot hatchback, seems just about the perfect definition of ‘exceptional’ in our book" - Autocar

"It’s been a long time coming, but the RS is worth the wait. Its aggressive looks won’t be to all tastes, yet the blistering performance and acrobatic handling are hard to fault. The highlight is the clever all-wheel- drive system that delivers involvement rivals can’t match. The stiff ride could be an issue in the UK, but in all other respects the RS is a performance car bargain. 5 Stars" - AutoExpress

"Is the Focus RS the wildly oversteering monster we've all been led to believe? No. Especially at this price point, it embarrasses everything else in the sector. Dynamically this is one of the more significant moments in the evolution of the affordable performance car. For the money, for the entertainment value and all-round ability, it's the real deal. If you want one you'll be needing to get in there quickly" - Piston Heads

"With 345bhp and four-wheel drive the RS slots neatly into the emerging ‘super hatch’ category, so far populated by the Audi RS3, Mercedes A45 AMG and Volkswagen Golf R. The latter is the Ford’s closest rival – we rate the Golf R as a five-star car, but the RS looks well equipped to give the VW a tough time given that it costs almost £1,000 less but puts out 50bhp more. 5 stars" - Evo Magazine

"If real-world pace and driver appeal are squarely at the top of your list of priorities, the Focus RS demands a test drive at the very least. It’s as exciting as £31,000 performance cars get, and it should seem civil and refined enough to use every day. Interest will only increase as more positive early reviews land. The car deserves every one of them though, and it'll certainly be worth the wait" - WhatCar?

"The new Focus RS puts the driver right at the centre of the action, even as it also comes equipped with a technological handling solution that far outstrips anything else in this sector. It makes the Type R seem silly, the Golf R seem staid and everything that outguns it seem eye-wateringly expensive. Simply put, it’s stonking" - Car Magazine

The All New Focus RS - Drive Modes Explained by Ben Collins

The new Ford Focus RS also comes with four "Drive Modes" including a Drift Mode which the former Stig, Ben Collins explains in the video below...

In Summary, The Focus RS Receives 5 Stars Across the Board!

It continues the Ford tradition for delivering fast, fun and practical high performance machines at a bargain price. Electrifying acceleration and agile handling are the real highlights, while the turbocharged engine delivers a suitably sporty soundtrack.

Overall Verdict: 5.0/5.0 Stars

The new Focus RS is also well equipped and solidly built, so you can use it everyday. The stiffer ride may be a concern for some and the boot is smaller than other more 'family friendly' five-door hatchbacks, but in all other respects the RS is one of the fastest car bargains of the decade. Order yours at TCH today!

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T. C. Harrison Group Limited, Milford House, Mill Street, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1HH acts as a credit broker in relation to financial products and not a lender. We work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. We are only able to offer finance products from these providers who may reward us for introducing you to them. T. C. Harrison Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.